Toe nail appliance



May 1, 1962 Fig.

Vo/l/e A. Gifford INVENTOR.

MIA/WW Z9 M1 States Free 3,032,032 TOE NAIL APPLIANEE Vollie A. Gifiord, 2311 Church St, Greenville, Tex. Filed Apr. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 21,264 3 Claims. (Cl. 1Z8-81) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in orthopedic appliances particularly for ingrown toe nails and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for aifording immediate relief from the pain caused by such nails in addition to correcting the condition.

Another very important object of the present invention is to provide an ingrown toe nail appliance of the aforementioned character which may be readily adjusted to meet various conditions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an ingrown toe nail appliance of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, of light weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing an appliance embodying the present invention in use;

FIGURE 2 is a view in transverse section through a toe, showing an appliance embodying the present invention in position on the nail thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the device; and

FIGURE 4 is a detail view in top plan of one of the hooks.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been i1- lustrated comprises a flat, substantially serpentine wire spring of suitable resilient metal which is designated generally by reference character 5. Hingedly mounted on the end portions of the spring 5 is a pair of hooks 6 of suitable material.

The hooks 6 include longitudinally tapered shanks 7 which terminate in downwardly and reversely bent free or outer end portions providing bills 8. The inner end portions of the shanks 7 are rolled in a manner to provide tubular eyes, loops or knuckles 9 which are journalled on the end portions 10 of the spring 5.

It is thought that the use of the appliance will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the device is positioned transversely on the ingrown toe nail, as indicated at 11, and the hooks 6 are engaged under the side edges of said nail. Thus, the spring 5 is tensioned and the side edges of the nail are lifted upwardly out of the flesh. In this manner pain is substantially eliminated, the nail is restored to its correct shape and the flesh is permitted to heal. To shorten the device or to increase the tension of the spring 5, said spring may be cut-off to permit any of the transverse portions 12 thereof to be engaged in the loops or eyes 9 of the hooks 6. This constitutes a highly important and desirable feature of the invention. The spring 5, being flat and resting on the nail under tension, prevents the hooks 6 from twisting or turning.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An ingrown toe nail appliance comprising a flat, metallic, elastic spring engageable transversely on the nail, and hooks hingedly mounted on the end portions of the spring and engageable under the side edges of the nail for tensioning said spring and lifting said side edges of said nail, said hooks including loops on one end, said spring being of a readily severable material and comprising a plurality of straight, parallel cross members selec tively insertable in the loops when the spring is severed at one end of said members.

2. An ingrown toe nail appliance comprisinga pair of hooks engageable under the side edges of the nail, said books including substantially flat shanks and elongated, tubular transverse loops on the inner ends of said shanks, and a flat, elastic spring engageable transversely under tension on the nail and detachably connected to the hooks for lifting said side edges of said nail, said spring being severable for shortening and including straight, transverse intermediate portions selectively and removably insertable in the loops for hingedly mounting the hooks on said spring.

3. An ingrown toe nail appliance comprising a flat, substantially serpentine spring to be mounted transversely on a toe nail to be treated and including straight, unobstructed transverse end portions, and removable hooks on the spring engageable under the side portions of the toe nail for operatively connecting said spring under tension thereto, said hooks comprising substantially flat shanks including rolled inner end portions providing transversely elongated loops pivotally receiving said end portions of the spring, said spring being readily severable and further including a series of straight, parallel cross members selectively insertable in the loops when said spring is severed at any of said cross members and thus shortened.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 884,376 Foster Apr. 14, 1908 1,213,673 Marvel Jan. 23, 1917 1,785, 76 Buckner Dec. 16, 1930 2,605,907 Hirst Aug. 5, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 27,425 Great Britain Dec. 2, 1896 of 1896 

